Ytrog wrote:I have a small question about the observance: how important is the eight rule ("I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.")? First seven are no problem btw, but I dread sleeping in my living room on a mattress while having to work the next day. Tried it a few times but couldn't sleep. Admittedly I slept on a few towels (didn't cover my body completely, so that was cold) with a blanket to cover me because I had no better option, that changed. Is an air mattress allowable and if yes: under what restrictions?

basically if your bed is the same hight as a chair (both feet are flat on the floor while the upper half of your legs are fully on the matress) dont worry, the length of the legs are part of this rule (predominantly). so yes an air matress would be allowed, or a camping mat. or any matress on the floor. have a look at see pacitia 87 in the Buddhist monastic code or other source.

I prefer the floor myself but by room now does not hav the room for me to be fully laying down without potentially cracking my head open or what ever, so I need to use the bed for practical purposes. the rules are to develop contentment with little, not to get ill or anything else.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.John Stuart Mill

Cittasanto wrote:
basically if your bed is the same hight as a chair (both feet are flat on the floor while the upper half of your legs are fully on the matress) dont worry...

I agree. Looking at the rules, it seems that almost any modest modern bed qualifies as OK... I'm not sure where this idea of sleeping on the floor as a requirement of 8 precepts is coming from. Am I missing something?
[Though I guess technically modern matresses are not stuffed with leaves, cloth, fur, etc...]

87. When a bhikkhu is having a new bed or bench made, it is to have legs (at most) eight fingerbreadths long — using sugata fingerbreadths — not counting the lower edge of the frame. In excess of that it is to be cut down and confessed.

The purpose of this rule is to prevent bhikkhus from making and using furnishings that are high and imposing.

The factors for the offense here are three.

1) Object: a bed or bench whose legs, measuring from the lower side of the frame to the floor, are longer than eight sugata fingerbreadths (16.7 cm.)
2) Effort: One acquires it after making it or having it made
3) Intention: for one's own use.
...

The sugata measures are a matter of controversy, discussed in Appendix II. http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... tml#app-II" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
For the purposes of this book, we are taking the sugata span to be 25 cm. Because there are twelve sugata fingerbreadths in a sugata span, eight sugata fingerbreadths would be equal to 16.7 cm.

Vinaya Clarification
pācittiyā 87 Mañcapīṭhasikkhāpada - Not to make, cause to be made, or use beds or seats having a eight exceeding 65 centimetres.
pācittiyā 88 Tūlonaddhasikkhāpada - Not to use or make beds or seats covered with cotton.
Pācittayā 15 Dutiyasenāsanasikkhāpada – Not to leave without putting ones bed which belongs to the community away or taking leave.
Pācittayā 18 Vehāsakuṭisikkhāpada – not to lie on an unsuitable high resting place.

Extra Rules for Consideration
dhutangas 8-13

Reflection
This is a reflection of the wise, I use the lodging: only to ward off cold, to ward off heat, to ward off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, burning and creeping things, only to remove the danger from weather, and for living in seclusion.

Interpretation
To cultivate contentment, I will refrain from high & luxurious resting places.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.John Stuart Mill

On this day and night of Uposatha, I reflect on the gifts I have been given.
I reflect on the qualities of the Buddha, who, as an admirable friend, has become a refuge for himself, finding true happiness through his own efforts. Furthermore, in a awe-inspiring gesture of kindness and compassion, has decided to share his discovery with others. The perfection of generosity.

It is on this occasion that I solemnly, with strong determination, and for the whole life, undertake the eight precepts, as a disciplinary aid in moral action, as a highly effective medicine, as a gift I have been offered. May they help me practice the noble craft of the heart.

I am taking the time to share these thoughts hoping they will inspire others in whichever commitment they have taken.

Let's strive on with diligence, untiringly.
Truth is a beautiful flower, let's help it blossom!

May all beings be happy, free from suffering, liberated.
May this Dhamma last another 2500 years!

Friday is the Full Moon Uposatha according to the ATI calendar provided by Wat Metta. Wishing everyone a great day whether observing the atthasila or not. Here is our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/198632790252553/ Bhavatu sabba mangalm!

To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhp. 183